BEYOND SIGHT BUT NOT FORGOTTEN: ZAKAT’S ROLE IN SUPPORTING THE HIDDEN POOR

By Nazira Hasanah Nasaruddin dan Maizatul Jamny Muhammad

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 24 (Bernama) -- Despite various welfare initiatives and government assistance programmes, there remain segments of Malaysia’s population, both in urban and rural areas, who continue to live in poverty but choose not to ask for help.

Shame, societal stigma and lack of awareness about how to access aid have kept many in the hidden poor group from seeking support. They quietly endure their hardships, excluded from the nation's social safety net and often remain invisible to assistance channels.

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In cities, some of these individuals go hungry just to pay rent for a room or a cramped house, or to send their children to school. In rural areas, elderly residents sometimes survive on simple meals, such as rice with egg, because they don’t know how to apply for assistance.

The hidden poor often live from day to day, their income barely enough to meet immediate needs. Many households have only one breadwinner who struggles to support the entire family. Some even juggle three or four jobs daily, sacrificing their own aspirations just to put food on the table.

Their reality is one of quiet resilience, their struggles kept hidden out of a desire not to burden others. Despite facing hardships that seem insurmountable, they keep going, hoping that the next day will be better.

The term hidden poor refers to vulnerable groups who have slipped through the cracks of the social support systems, remaining undetected and without access to necessary assistance.

Recently, heartbreaking stories of orphaned teenagers in Kelantan and Penang, forced to fend for themselves after losing both parents, have gone viral on social media. These young people, once isolated and struggling, have only recently started receiving the help they desperately needed.

While many government assistance programmes, including those managed by the Social Welfare Department and state zakat centres, are available to support those in need, it is important to remember that paying zakat is not only the responsibility of institutions but also of every capable Muslim.

The zakat system thrives when the Muslim community actively contributes to its strength. Zakat, the third pillar of Islam, is obligatory. The command to give zakat is repeated 23 times in the Quran.

In Surah al-Baqarah, verse 43, Allah SWT says “And establish the prayer and give zakat”.

In line with this obligation, the Federal Territory Islamic Religious Council (MAIWP) and the MAIWP Zakat Collection Centre (PPZ-MAIWP) have implemented various initiatives to ensure the welfare of asnaf, or eligible recipients, is well-protected and that zakat funds remain sufficient to meet the needs of the community.

MAIWP adopts a holistic approach to assist asnaf, addressing not only their immediate needs but also focusing on their long-term development. Among the assistance provided are regular financial support, housing aid, educational assistance, medical aid and emergency relief.

In addition, MAIWP emphasises economic empowerment by offering skill training programmes, Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET), business capital and entrepreneurship guidance. These programmes aim to help asnaf generate their own income and break the cycle of poverty.

To further streamline the process, MAIWP has launched the Jejak Asnaf (MoJA) mobile app, allowing the public to report asnaf in their communities. This initiative helps identify eligible recipients quickly and fosters a sense of shared responsibility for social welfare between the public and authorities.

On the other hand, PPZ-MAIWP plays a key role in ensuring zakat funds are effectively managed to support the various programmes that MAIWP provides.

Each year, PPZ-MAIWP intensifies its efforts to engage donors through campaigns, awareness programmes and outreach activities, such as mobile counters and community engagement initiatives. Collaborations with strategic partners, corporations and financial institutions further enhance efforts to raise awareness and encourage zakat fulfillment.

Digital platforms such as the MyZakat app, cashless payments and salary deduction schemes make it easier and faster for the public to pay zakat. These methods save time and simplify coordination with monthly tax deductions (PCB).

Zakat payers at PPZ-MAIWP are also eligible for the Kafalah Muzakki protection scheme, which provides coverage up to RM3,000, provided they meet the basic payment requirements.

While MAIWP and PPZ-MAIWP serve different roles, they share a common mission, that is to ensure the welfare of the Muslim community and ensure that no asnaf is overlooked or left without assistance.

These facilities demonstrate that paying zakat no longer requires great effort, only awareness and a commitment to fulfilling the trust Allah has given us.

Poverty may never be completely eradicated, but it can be managed and reduced through a fair social system based on compassion and care.

It is essential to foster a new understanding that helping others goes beyond giving money. It is about recognising that the sustenance we have is not entirely ours to keep.

The responsibility to pay zakat is not solely on the individual. It is a collective duty shared by all levels of society, including corporations and the nation's leadership.

This collective commitment is critical to ensuring that zakat funds remain sufficient to meet the growing needs of asnaf, especially in urban areas.

-- BERNAMA